Middle EastOperationsTankers

Product tanker captured by Iranians reignites Hormuz security concerns

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersApril 15, 2020
65 1 minute read

A Hong Kong-flagged handy product tanker at anchorage in Fujairah was boarded by armed men yesterday and told to head to Iran, a flare-up of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz not seen for a number of months.

Security consultants Ambrey report that four skiffs carrying armed personnel came alongside the ship moored in the vicinity of Fujairah Outer Anchorage and ordered the crew to lower a ladder, then embarked.

Prior to the incident, the handysize tanker had been displaying on AIS that it was destined for Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. However, this destination was then changed to Iran. The vessel then moved within three nautical miles of the port of Kooh Mobarak, Iran.

Another security consultant Dryad Global identified the ship as the SC Taipei, owned by China’s SC Shipping, with 22 Chinese crew onboard.

SC Shipping is part of the Junzheng Group, who bought out Sinochem’s chemical tanker fleet last year. Last month Junzheng was sanctioned by the US for buying Iranian oil and then switched to buy far more Saudi oil.

After a number of hours the Junzheng ship, which is in ballast, was released by Iranian forces and returned to Fujairah.

“[T]he resumption of vessel detentions sends a signal to the US that Iran still continues to object to sanctions, as well as signalling to Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the US in the region, that Iran is willing to take action to address the global oversupply of the oil market and will not sit idly by,” Dryad Global noted in an update to clients.

Iran was behind a number of tanker captures last year and was also accused of setting off explosives on other tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the key tanker arteries in the world.

In the wake of yesterday’s attack, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has warned: “All vessels in the vicinity are to stay vigilant.”

 

Tags
Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersApril 15, 2020
65 1 minute read
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Back to top button